Celtic sit 23 points behind their rivals as their hopes of retaining the title look forlorn
Amid the waves of criticism directed at Celtic during their disastrous campaign, it’s perhaps surprising to learn that the champions have lost only two matches in the league.
Unfortunately for Neil Lennon and his men, both of those matches were against Rangers.
Connor Goldson’s double earned the visitors a 2-0 win at Celtic Park in October, while Callum McGregor’s own goal made the difference at Ibrox in January.
While the gap currently stands at 23 points, the three games in hand yet to be played by Celtic allied to wins for Lennon’s side in both of those matches would have made the title race look somewhat different.
With all but the most defiant figures at Celtic admitting that the title is over, Parkhead legend Sir Kenny Dalglish has reflected on the importance of those derby defeats.
Writing in his Sunday Post column, Dalglish said: “Everybody inside Celtic will be hurting with the events of the past four or five months.
F”rom going out of the Champions League qualifiers to Ferencvaros, to finishing bottom of their Europa League section and falling so far behind Rangers in the Premiership, it’s been far from pleasant.
“Things clearly haven’t gone to plan.
“They have only lost two games in the Premiership. But those two defeats have been to Rangers, so it’s like losing 12 points.
“Everybody connected with Celtic wanted 10-in-a-row, and events this season have left the supporters shattered.
“Some people were calling for change in the manager’s seat four or five months ago, but the club stood by Neil to give him as much opportunity as possible.
“Neil could call time on himself, but I don’t expect that to happen.”
Celtic return to action on Wednesday night when they host Hamilton Accies.
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